folk songs

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Folk songs are literally songs of the "folk:" the indigenous people of a region. Folk songs may be traditional, originating in a distant place (or time) and adapted, revised and renewed through something called the "folk process." Many American folk songs originate in the British Isles, or even northern Europe, brought over by generations of immigrants.
 
In the 1950s and 1960s American folk songs were brought into the mainstream of American music by popular folk singers and bands like Pete Seeger, The Kingston Trio, Peter, Paul and Mary and Joan Baez. These musicians continued the folk process and the tradition of folk-music as political commentary, a American tradition going back to the time when "Yankee Doodle" became a popular protest song in the days of British rule of the American colonies.

Not all folk songs are of ancient origin; folk singers like Seeger (Turn, Turn, Turn), Woody Guthrie ("This Land is Your Land") and others wrote original songs that have, over the course of the last 50 years endured and have, themselves, been adapated. And now properly labeled "folk songs."

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Latest blogosphere posts tagged “folk songs”

  • Under Covers 8: Classic Country Covers


    OurStage BlogAuthority Authority: 481
    As is the nature of the genre, country music tend to present us with universal themes that live much longer than their creators. Two such examples are “Ring of Fire” popularized by Johnny Cash (originally written by June Carter ) and “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” performed by Hank Williams . Cash and ...
    1 day ago
  • President Patil encourages children to lead India


    Thaindian NewsAuthority Authority: 710
    New Delhi, Nov. 14 (ANI): President Pratibha Patil met children at her official residence in New Delhi on Saturday on the occasion of the 120th birth anniversary of India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.Patil encouraged the children to lead the nation and make it proud.“These children have to do a lot of ...
    1 day ago
  • President Patil encourages children to lead India


    Thaindian NewsAuthority Authority: 710
    New Delhi, Nov. 14 (ANI): President Pratibha Patil met children at her official residence in New Delhi on Saturday on the occasion of the 120th birth anniversary of India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.Patil encouraged the children to lead the nation and make it proud.“These children have to do a lot of ...
    1 day ago
  • And I fall in Love with 17 hippies


    Qwaider PlanetAuthority Authority: 165
    Have you ever heard a tone and just by hearing it, it made you smile.. made your soul smiles? have you ever seen a smile that made your smile go even wider and warmer? Have you ever been to a gig and never Read More......( read more )
    3 days ago
  • Pete Seeger and The Advent Of This Land Is Your Land On My Life


    Amber Benson's Official BlogAuthority Authority: 92
    Literally, one of my earliest memories is of my dad sitting at our dining room table, a yolk-colored classical guitar sitting on his knee as he played and sang, This Land Is Your Land. My dad has a beautiful alto voice, high and reedy – and even though he doesnt play and sing very much anymore, when he does, he ...
    5 days ago
  • Indian Songs – Songs That Are Both Filled With Tradition.


    Your Online Security Authority BlogAuthority Authority: 481
    Diversity is the keyword to describe India and its fascinating culture, national blend and exoticism. Although it may seem like you can make an opinion of what Indian songs are like by listening to the many folk creations, you can always be surprised by a new rhythm. As part of a very complex culture, Indian ...
    1 week ago
  • Give Up The Ghost by Brandi Carlile Review


    Eccentric Eclectic WomanAuthority Authority: 122
    ABOUT BRANDI CARLILE: Born in the small town of Ravensdale, WA Brandi Carlile grew up listening to the classic country music her parents loved (Patsy Cline remains Carliles favorite singer). She made her first stage appearance at the age of 8 after she was taken to a local country radio show by her mother. At 17 ...
    1 week ago
  • October Mailbag: What Did Beyonce Think After Kenya Interrupted The Awards?


    The 9513Authority Authority: 505
    What did Beyonce think after Kenya interrupted the awards? She figured the country’s government must still be bitter that Taylor Swift is only bringing her tour to the West coast of Africa. — Karlie What subgenre is Taylor Swift? Moody electropunk jazzbilly thrash metal with operatic overtones. Or just ...
    2 weeks ago
  • Neil Young - A Man Needs A Maid


    Unreality Shout - MusicAuthority Authority: 120
    Theres nothing topical about A Man Needs A Maid . In fact, its an old Neil Young song from his Harvest album in 1972. But since when did we have to focus exclusively on chart acts? I fell in love with the Harvest album during the summer, its one of those timeless albums that just touches you deep down. ...
    2 weeks ago
  • There was an Old Woman All Skin and Bones – A Hallowe’en Song and Video


    Mama Lisa's World BlogAuthority Authority: 125
    I’ve posted several versions of this great Halloween song in the past… It’s called There Was an Old Woman All Skin and Bones . Here’s yet another version below from Matt Vaughan and his friend Pam. They explain how to make it spookier for Halloween! Here are the chords from Matt… Am – Dm Am / Am Dm Am ...
    3 weeks ago
  • Millions in Bihar pray to setting sun on Chhath (Lead)


    Thaindian NewsAuthority Authority: 710
    Patna, Oct 24 (IANS) Millions of people across Bihar, mostly women, marked the festival of Chhath Saturday by fasting, singing traditional songs and praying to the setting sun.Devotees, attired in new clothes, sang folk songs as they prayed to the sun god and set lit earthen lamps afloat on rivers, lakes and other ...
    3 weeks ago
  • Murder Ballads Top 10


    MusicouchAuthority Authority: 422
    A murder ballad tells us who is the victim, why this person was killed, how the murdered lured him or her to the murder site… and of course the act itself is recounted, followed by the escape or capture of the murderer. Usually the ballad ends with the murdered in jail, on his way to the gallows (or the electric ...
    3 weeks ago
  • Twofer Tuesday – Stringing a Few Words Together


    The Goat's Lunch PailAuthority Authority: 121
    I’ve been doing my best to get the editing done on my first manuscript. I’ve found I prefer raw creation to trying to fix up writing that may not amount to anything later on. It’s good exercise, though. Best way to learn is to do. Somewhere between blogging, getting the usual daily life matters under control, ...
    3 weeks ago
  • Bhoomi Isspecial-real taste of Folk songs in Bangla Band culture


    Calcutta Tube:Bengali Movies-Bollywood NewsAuthority Authority: 145
    Bhoomi Isspecial is an Bengali music album by Bangla Band Bhoomi known for their expertise in experimenting with the Bengali Folk songs. The Music CD with 10 tracks has two traditional Bengali Songs and selected hits from album Jatra Shuru and Udaan.
    4 weeks ago
  • *It Ain’t Always About Politics- The Topical Song in American Folklore-Man Versus Machine, Man Versus Nature, Man Versus Man (And Woman, Too)


    AMERICAN LEFT HISTORYAuthority Authority: 149
    Click On Title To Link To YouTubes Film Clip Of William And Versy Smith Performing "When That Great Ship Went Down". CD Review People Take Warning!: Murder Ballads& Disaster Songs, 1913-1938, Three CD Set, Tompkins Square, 2007 Yes, for the umpth time, I am deep in research of the roots, the many roots of ...
    4 weeks ago
  • Today’s Vegetable:Consider What He Says To You, Consider What’s To Come


    Hello VegetablesAuthority Authority: 130
    I had a revelation in the mid-90s that I should have gotten a Scorpions tattoo in the 80s. By the time I thought of it, though, I felt it was too late — their music was watered down, and a Scorps tattoo would come off more ironic than rockin. I assumed I simply had missed my chance at this sort of thing, but you ...
    8 weeks ago

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